Sunday, 23 February 2014

Breakfast for Dinner, review and Giveaway

Breakfast for Dinner, is a fabulous book written by husband and wife duo Lindsay and Taylor who share their culinary adventures on http://www.loveandoliveoil.com/. Take a look at their website as it features some wonderful recipes and the site is easy to navigate. The concept of Breakfast for Dinner is updating and sharing classic breakfast recipes which can be eaten for our evening meals.

Lindsay and Taylor state that breakfast for dinner is nothing new and many of us enjoy a late-night snack of cereal or pancakes (I've been guilty to the former). As much as I love hearty evening meals, sometimes after a busy day I have been known to settle with a bowl of Crunchy Nut or Fruit and Fibre or beans and cheese on toast, so when Quirk Books offered me the opportunity to review this book, I did not hesitate.

Breakfast for Dinner is beautifully illustrated and there are photos for every recipe. My favourite chapter (alongside Sides and Desserts) have also recipes and tips how to make accompaniments to the recipe for example, perfectly poached eggs and pitta bread. As Breakfast for Dinner is written by American authors expect hearty portions, classic combinations and lots of maple syrup. The majority of the recipes look fairly easy to make (most will be on the table within an hour) and also variations of a given recipe.

Breakfast for Dinner.

The book is split into the following chapters:

Introduction: Self-explanatory but gives the authors perspective on the concept of the book.

Getting Started: all the essential breakfast ingredients such as bacon, flour, eggs and milk which can be used to rustle up breakfast classics.

Main dishes: This is my favourite chapter within this book and some of the standout recipes are Shrimp and Grits (A taste of the Deep South anyone?), Chicken and Biscuit Waffles (More taste of the Deep South!) and Sunny-Side Up Burgers (A taste of Australia :-)).

Sides and Starters: This chapter features side dishes, but I think they also could serve (in greater portions) a main dish. Stand out dishes include maple glazed pork burgers, Moroccan chicken cinnamon balls (another unique dish) and Bloody Mary tomato soup.

Drinks and Desserts: This is where it goes down! This chapter does not scrimp on flavour, fat or portions! Bookmarked recipes are Mocha Ice Cream Pie with Biscotti Crust (mmm), Granola Cookies and Banana Foster Crepe Cake.

I made the Sunny-Side-Up burgers which is described as "the ultimate breakfast in a bun" and that "put an egg on it" may be a new saying after trying these burgers. I skipped making the crispy potatoes to top the burgers but the burger was super easy to make with clear instructions and turned out to be delicious. I've never added apricot jam to a burger bun, but there was something moreish with the sweet (apricot) with the meat, and egg. I served my burger as it is, no additional fries or a side salad, it was hearty and tasty enough as it is, a masterpiece in it's own right!

Here is how my Sunny-Side-Up Burgers turned out:

Sunny-Side-Up Burgers.

Sunny-Side-Up Burgers.

Recipe for Sunny-Side-Up Burgers

For the burgers

1 ground sirloin

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/4 teaspoon

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

4 burger buns

For the topping

4 medium eggs

1/4 cup apricot jam

4 slices of pecorino cheese (optional)

4 leaves green leaf lettuce.

Method

To prepare the burgers, use your hands or a spoon to combine the beef with the Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Divide into quarters; shape into four 1/2-inch-thick patties. Heat oil in a large skillet and cook the patties for 4 minutes per side.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Coat lightly with oil or cooking spray. Add eggs, spacing them in skillet so they don't run together. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, then carefully flip and cook for 30 minutes seconds more. The yolk will be slightly runny; if you prefer a firmer egg, cook for an additional minute.

Spread a thin layer of jam inside buns. Arrange burger patties on bottom buns and top with cheese (if desired), crispy potatoes, fried egg and lettuce. Top buns and serve.

The lovely people at Quirk books are offering one lucky reader a copy of Breakfast for Dinner, follow the instructions on the rafflecopter.

To be in with the chance to receive a copy of Winter Cocktails.

Follow the instructions on the rafflecopter widget.

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I forget the name but its a strong black coffee tia maria poured in - a healthy glug and then fresh extra thick cream placed on top they are to die for - i first had one in tenerife and they call it a calypso there.